Over the years, I have added a few Certina watches to my collection. I enjoy wearing them because the brand consistently delivers timepieces that are well-made and nice to look at. Certina has a reputation for building solid, reliable watches, and my personal experience with them has confirmed this. Recently, they introduced two new models to their DS-1 Chronograph Automatic lineup: reference C029.462.16.011.00 and reference C029.462.26.051.00. I took some time to look closely at these releases to see what they offer.

Both of these new chronographs share the same core foundation. They are housed in a 42-millimeter case made from 316L stainless steel. This size gives the watch a substantial presence on the wrist without being overly bulky. Inside both watches beats the Valjoux A05.231 automatic movement. This is a movement that features a silicon hairspring, which helps protect the watch from magnetic fields. It also provides a generous 68-hour power reserve. This means you can take the watch off on a Friday evening, and it will still be running on Monday morning. As part of Certina’s Double Security concept, both models are water-resistant up to 100 meters and feature a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

Model C029.462.16.011.00: Clean and Classic Style

The first model is the more traditional of the two. It features a crisp white dial set inside a polished silver-tone case. The dial layout is very clean, displaying the time, the date, and the chronograph sub-dials in a readable way. The chronograph function is operated by the two pushers on the side, allowing you to measure elapsed time. It comes on a leather strap, which gives the watch a slightly formal feel. If you prefer a straightforward, classic design that goes with almost anything, this version is a very safe choice. It is a perfect example of what Certina does well: creating functional watches with an unpretentious style. 

Model C029.462.26.051.00: Two-Tone Design and a Personal Preference

The second model takes a different visual approach. It has a dark black dial, and the case features PVD gold accents mixed with the standard stainless steel. This creates a two-tone appearance. The hands and the hour markers on the dial are also finished in a matching gold tone, creating a clear contrast against the dark background. Like the white dial version, this model also comes on a leather strap and includes a tachymeter scale for calculating speed over distance.

Because I really like gold watches, this second model caught my attention right away. Typically, if there is a gold option available, that is the one I will choose to wear. However, after looking at the design of the C029.462.26.051.00, I found that the combination of gold and silver simply does not appeal to me here. Two-tone watches can be tricky to get right, and in this specific case, the mix of metals distracts from the clean lines of the case. I would have much preferred it if Certina had made this model entirely in a gold tone. An all-gold PVD case paired with that black dial would have looked much more cohesive and appealing to my personal taste.

Conclusion: 

In the end, both the C029.462.16.011.00 and the C029.462.26.051.00 are well-constructed timepieces that offer good mechanical value. They maintain the standard of quality I have come to expect from my own Certina pieces. While the two-tone design of the gold and silver model missed the mark for me, the white dial version remains a very solid chronograph.